Daily Itinerary

Day 1Jan. 14 - Depart the USA

Day 2Jan. 15 - Arrive in the Holy Land

You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by our representative
and transferred to your hotel to enjoy dinner before retiring for
the night.

Day 3Jan. 16 - The Galilee

Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum,
center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built
on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount
of Beatitudes, contemplate the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew
5-7). Explore the Church of the Fish and the Loaves at Tabgha,
traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the
Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three
times to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary
Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.
Recall Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.

Day 4Jan. 17 - Cana, Nazareth, Tel Megiddo & Caesarea

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, site of Jesus’ first
miracle, before continuing on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home
(Matthew 2:23). Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view
one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today’s
last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel
visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul
was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.

Day 5Jan. 18 - Jericho, Qumran & Mount of Olives

As you stop in Jericho to view the ruins of the city conquered
by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2, 20), in the distance you can also see
the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).
Continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered
in 1947. End your day with a group picture taken from the Mount of
Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12).

Day 6Jan. 19 - Jerusalem & Bethlehem

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see
the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-
25). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem.
Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the scenes of the
night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36 - 44). Continue
to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas,
where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew
26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the
traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26).

Day 7Jan. 20 - Jerusalem & the Old City

Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City. Explore
ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall.
View the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath
miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and
experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where
Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in
Christ’s steps on the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”). At the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, take time to reflect on His sacrificial
love.

Day 8Jan. 21 - Leisure Day (Masada/Dead Sea Option)

Today you have free time to explore on your own or you may
choose to visit Masada and the Dead Sea (additional charge).
Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop
fortress which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish
Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains
of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. End your day with a
dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 9Jan. 22 - Jerusalem

Travel to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist and where Mary
visited Elisabeth (Luke 1:26-40). Explore the poignant exhibits of
Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. Visit the Garden Tomb
for a time of reflection and communion.